Thomas Hitzlsperger: Homosexuality is ignored in football

The 31-year-old former Germany, Villa and Stuttgart midfielder announced yesterday that he is gay, having chosen to wait until he retired before going public.

There are many openly gay players in the women's game, including England captain Casey Stoney, but none active at a high level in men's football.

Hitzlsperger said: "I have taken a conscious decision to confront publicly the prejudice and hostility shown towards homosexuals. I have nothing to be ashamed of.

"Homosexuality is simply ignored in football. The media, on the other hand, have been interested in the subject for years.

"It's just that the players concerned have not dared to declare their inclinations because the world of football still sees itself to some extent as a macho environment.

"People see a gay footballer as a contradiction in terms. And that is why virtually no professional player wants to expose himself to this kind of pressure."

Among sportsmen to have come out in recent years are NBA player John Amaechi.

He welcomed Hitzlsperger's decision but took a big swipe at football.

"Football is toxic and not just for gay people," he said. "It's toxic for Asians who want to play the game; it's toxic for women who want to be executives, it's toxic for black people who want to do anything but play.

"But football doesn't see itself like that. It sees itself as this amazing, wonderful, bold and progressive organisation. As an analogy, it is the fat bloke who looks at himself in the mirror and beaming back at him is an Adonis."

Twitter messages of support for Hitzlsperger included one from Villa. The club said: "Everyone who knows Thomas from his time here at Villa has great respect for him.

"Along with our support as a club, we hope that everyone involved in the game extends to him their support as well."